There Goes My Heart (The Sullivans #20) - Bella Andre Page 0,79
this week after putting my face on her ads.”
The spark of sibling rivalry between them was palpable as Lola shot back, “I guarantee sales from my ads would crush yours.” She turned to Zara. “I’d love to model your frames. Just let me know when you need me.” She nodded toward the kitchen. “Now come into the kitchen and meet everyone.”
Zara was surprised by the way her heart began to race. She told herself it was simply because she’d been caught kissing Rory and then narrowly avoided a misstep with Lola. Though Rory had said people often felt overwhelmed by meeting his entire family for the first time, Zara had been sure that she would be totally fine with it.
As soon as they walked into the crowded kitchen, little Ruby grinned and held out her arms. “Zzzzz!”
“Hello, Zara.” Flynn handed Ruby into Zara’s waiting arms. “It’s nice to see you again so soon.”
“It’s great to see you again too, Flynn.” Zara nuzzled Ruby’s cheek, closing her eyes as she breathed in her clean baby smell.
“Mom, Dad,” Rory said, “this is Zara.”
“Thank you so much for inviting me to dinner tonight.”
“We’re very glad you’re here.” His mother wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, then came around the kitchen island and took Zara’s free hand in both of hers. “I’m Beth, and I’m not sure how we’ve managed to go this long without meeting each other, but it is our sincere pleasure to have you here tonight.”
“It sure is.” A man with salt-and-pepper hair took Zara’s hand and shook it. Zara’s heart skipped a beat as she realized she was looking at Rory thirty years from now. He was still handsome as sin, but his father’s strength was not in the least diminished by the years. “I’m Ethan.” He winked. “Welcome to the madhouse.”
It turned out that he wasn’t exaggerating. Over the course of the next few minutes, she met Rory’s brother Hudson, said hello to Turner, whom she’d met briefly at the warehouse earlier that year, gave Cassie and Ashley hugs, and even scratched behind the ears of the dog lying beneath the kitchen table. Meanwhile, Ruby never let go of her, almost as though the little girl thought she needed the support.
Fortunately, it was easy to be swept into the chatter, and laughter, and food being passed around. At one point or another, each of Beth’s children, her husband, Flynn—even the dog—asked Beth for an opinion, or assistance, or simply wanted her attention. She made it seem so effortless, juggling final dinner preparations along with the needs of her big family. And throughout, she went out of her way to include Zara in the conversation.
Everything Rory had told Zara about his mother made it clear just how much he loved and respected her. But now that Zara had finally met her, she realized it wasn’t just this meal that revolved around Beth Sullivan.
The entire family revolved around her.
“Uncle Rory! Uncle Hudson! Uncle Turner! Grandpa! Mr. Flynn!” Kevin skidded back into the room. “I’ve set up my magic table outside! Come on.” At the last second, Ashley’s son turned to Zara. “You can come too if you want.”
“Thanks,” she said with a smile. “How about I catch the second round?” She didn’t want to take Rory away from his time with the guys. And she wanted to get to know his mother and sisters better.
Rory dropped a kiss on the top of Zara’s head before he left.
Ashley looked fondly after her son as the men all followed him into the backyard, then sent Zara a wry smile. “Thank God Kevin has his uncles and grandpa to make up for his worthless burnout of a dad.”
Zara wasn’t sure what to say to that. Which Lola clearly picked up on, saying, “It isn’t Friday night dinner if at least one of us doesn’t air our dirty laundry.” She leaned forward with clear anticipation. “Got anything juicy to share with us, Zara?”
There was no way to keep her cheeks from flaming as Zara thought about all the extremely juicy things she and Rory had done together this week.
“Well, then…” Lola looked impressed. And also a little grossed out. “I’d ask you for details if it wasn’t my brother making you blush like that.”
“Lola!” Cassie called out her sister with a shake of her head. “It’s also not Friday night dinner,” she said to Zara, “if we don’t horribly embarrass someone.”
“True,” Lola agreed, “and I promise I’ll stop as soon as I tell you